China's First Gold Medal

Last year China officially executed 470 people last year, more than any other country, although this number is probably grossly deflated. Over 60 crimes carry the death penalty in China, including drug offenses and tax fraud. China is part of five countries (along with the US, Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia) which commit 88% of executions worldwide. Executions take place weeks after a guilty verdict unlike American executions which can take decades to carry out. The condemned are shot, although letahl injection is slowly gaining prominence. Amnesty International says China gets a gold medal for executions (zing!). China does not plan to rid itself of the death penalty, nor does public opinion wish to eliminate executions. Yet the PRC eyes reform, as seen in its recent decision to automatically refer all capital sentences to the Supreme Court.